Description: This week’s discussion focused on how has technology changed my classroom assessment and evaluation? There are many different forces that have molded me as a teacher. Of all aspects that have affected my teaching, technology has made the greatest impact.
Impact: When I started teaching at my district nearly five years ago, I “stumbled” into being at the right place at the right time. I overheard other teachers talking about going to the “Navigator” meeting the following day. I asked our math coach, who was a friend of my sisters, if I was supposed to go to this meeting and she said “Oh yes and I forgot to tell you about it.” The Navigator meeting was a nine day professional development that walked us through the use of the Texas Instruments Navigator system. After one day, I was hooked. I was in awe of everything that this system could accomplish in the classroom. Being a firm believer that the squeaky wheel gets greased I started to make noise to get a system in my room. I received an older system and stumbled through learning how to use it. Fortunately, my math coach could see that I had a genuine desire to learn this system and she signed me up for a “Fast Track” session at Texas Instruments headquarters in Dallas. I spent four days learning more on the Navigator. In addition, I was awarded my own system that would become mine after showing it to 200 pre-service and/or full time math and science teachers. It was not easy, but I accomplished the task. I am now the proud owner of my own Navigator system.
As I stated earlier, technology has molded my teaching more than any other force. Specifically, the Navigator has had the greatest influence. I am able to send my students quizzes to their calculators. They answer the questions, and then I “collect” the data to my laptop. I am able to instantly analyze understanding and cover that topic in class immediately. Recently (one week ago) I presented at the Texas Instruments International Conference in Atlanta. My presentation was entitled “Using the TI Navigator for Everything from the First Day of School to Proving Whether or Not Sponge Bob Does Wear Square Pants.” My presentation was aimed at beginning users who were still struggling with their system.
Intent: It is my intent to continue using my system in my classroom. I also intend to continue presenting the Navigator at conferences whenever possible. My ultimate goal is to become a Regional Trainer with Texas Instruments. The system is an invaluable tool. If I can demonstrate this value to other teachers, maybe one day I will see them presenting at a conference. In the meantime, I will continue to use my system to aid in analysis of my classroom. I have also volunteered to assist other subjects (Language Arts, Science and Social Studies) in setting up a baseline data test on Navigator for the beginning of the next school year to analyze our students understanding.
Description: This week’s discussion focused on how has technology changed my classroom assessment and evaluation? There are many different forces that have molded me as a teacher. Of all aspects that have affected my teaching, technology has made the greatest impact.
Impact: When I started teaching at my district nearly five years ago, I “stumbled” into being at the right place at the right time. I overheard other teachers talking about going to the “Navigator” meeting the following day. I asked our math coach, who was a friend of my sisters, if I was supposed to go to this meeting and she said “Oh yes and I forgot to tell you about it.” The Navigator meeting was a nine day professional development that walked us through the use of the Texas Instruments Navigator system. After one day, I was hooked. I was in awe of everything that this system could accomplish in the classroom. Being a firm believer that the squeaky wheel gets greased I started to make noise to get a system in my room. I received an older system and stumbled through learning how to use it. Fortunately, my math coach could see that I had a genuine desire to learn this system and she signed me up for a “Fast Track” session at Texas Instruments headquarters in Dallas. I spent four days learning more on the Navigator. In addition, I was awarded my own system that would become mine after showing it to 200 pre-service and/or full time math and science teachers. It was not easy, but I accomplished the task. I am now the proud owner of my own Navigator system.
As I stated earlier, technology has molded my teaching more than any other force. Specifically, the Navigator has had the greatest influence. I am able to send my students quizzes to their calculators. They answer the questions, and then I “collect” the data to my laptop. I am able to instantly analyze understanding and cover that topic in class immediately. Recently (one week ago) I presented at the Texas Instruments International Conference in Atlanta. My presentation was entitled “Using the TI Navigator for Everything from the First Day of School to Proving Whether or Not Sponge Bob Does Wear Square Pants.” My presentation was aimed at beginning users who were still struggling with their system.
Intent: It is my intent to continue using my system in my classroom. I also intend to continue presenting the Navigator at conferences whenever possible. My ultimate goal is to become a Regional Trainer with Texas Instruments. The system is an invaluable tool. If I can demonstrate this value to other teachers, maybe one day I will see them presenting at a conference. In the meantime, I will continue to use my system to aid in analysis of my classroom. I have also volunteered to assist other subjects (Language Arts, Science and Social Studies) in setting up a baseline data test on Navigator for the beginning of the next school year to analyze our students understanding.